Keeping Cancer Care Close to Home

A message from one of our grateful recipients – The Cancer Care Team at Hutchinson Health

Part of the Hutchinson Health Cancer Team supporting the fundraising efforts of the new Cancer Center at the Havana Nights Gala in November

By now you have probably caught onto this quarter’s theme and focus – the much needed new Cancer Center coming to Hutchinson Health, and the Foundation’s commitment to support this expansion that will have a direct and positive impact on so many in our community. While we can ‘anticipate’ what this renovation will mean to those who have the opportunity to work daily in the new Center, we wanted you to hear from them first hand. Below you will find some thoughts directly from the Cancer Care Team – those who work diligently day in and day out to make those walking through their cancer journey as comfortable as possible.

“Surprised yet humbled that the Foundation and community would be helping with the expansion of our Cancer Clinic” is how Jodi Kiefer, a Patient Access Scheduler at Hutchinson Health, explained it when she learned her team would be receiving a donation from the Foundation. “Fortunate to have a Foundation tied to our Hospital that is so committed to helping raise money for the different needs of our organization” is how Shari Heinen, a Chemotherapy Nurse at Hutchinson Health, feels. Shari is also “thankful for the Foundation’s E-Star program so that Hutchinson Health employees can easily pledge our financial support by donating a portion of each paycheck.”

When discussing why an expansion to the Cancer Center is so needed for our community, Jodi shared “the new Cancer Center will help our community by keeping quality cancer care close to home for many patients. A lot of times our patients don’t want to be traveling for hours just to get to and from their treatments. If they have to come in once a week or more, that can really wear on our patients and their families”

Sue Alrick, a Chemotherapy Nurse at Hutchinson Health, echoed her co-workers statements. “I felt grateful and appreciative when hearing we were the recipients for our new Cancer Center. The Center will have additional treatment rooms, larger exam rooms and a waiting area. It will also include a procedure room for lab draws and other procedures. A calming space will also be available for both patients and families while waiting. Patients really appreciate the ability to have their treatments and care close to home. Myself, along with my co-workers are privileged to travel their cancer journey with our patients and their families, and welcome every opportunity to make that journey as comfortable as possible.”